The federal appropriations process provides an opportunity for Congress to invest in various projects that address many infrastructure and conservation challenges landscape architects seek to resolve. On June 28, 2022, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill, legislation to provide essential support to help achieve our nation’s infrastructure and climate goals, by a vote of 32-34. This appropriations bill would provide resources for Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) projects concerning the investigation, oversight, construction, and maintenance of sea-level rise, flood control, storm damage reduction, shoreline protection, and ecosystem restoration. In addition to supporting Corps projects, this funding bill provides additional resources for the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation to address drought issues and improve water infrastructure within America.

Additionally, on June 29, 2022, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2023 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Funding Bill, legislation to safeguard our nation’s natural resources and biodiversity and promote environmental justice, by a vote of 32-34. This appropriations bill would provide tools for the Department of the Interior (DOI)—through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service—to conserve public lands, water resources, wildlife, and species, and maintain and update national parks, recreation opportunities, and cultural heritage sites. In addition to supporting DOI developments, this funding bill provides additional resources for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address wastewater, stormwater management, contaminated landscapes, and environmental justice initiatives within America through State and Tribal Assistance Grants for Brownfield cleanups and Clean Water State Revolving Funds.

In recent surveys, ASLA members have identified their increasing work on projects related to and utilizing investments outlined in both these appropriations bills. Regarding the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill specifically, landscape architects work closely with other infrastructure professionals, including the Army Corps of Engineers, to utilize green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to address water and stormwater management issues, and that also seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change. With respect to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Funding Bill, landscape architects utilize the LWCF, Recreational Trails Program, Historic Preservation Fund, Brownfields Program, and Clean Water State Revolving Funds to address the various climate impacts outlined within this bill.

Currently, the Senate has not taken action on similar appropriation bills. ASLA will continue to monitor this important legislation and when possible promote the use of infrastructure investments and other landscape architecture techniques.